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Northern Territory vs Australian Capital Territory

State / Territory comparison ≈ 2,338 km apart · Northern Territory profile · Australian Capital Territory profile

Northern Territory Australian Capital Territory

The Australian Capital Territory and Northern Territory are two very different regions separated by over 2,300 km. The Australian Capital Territory has a highly qualified workforce, with 42.9% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher, compared to 21.5% in the Northern Territory. Income is also far higher in the Australian Capital Territory, where 36.4% of households earn $3,000 or more a week, while 25.6% do so in the Northern Territory. In contrast, the Northern Territory has a much larger First Nations population at 26.3%, compared to just 2.0% in the Australian Capital Territory.

Both areas sit near the national figure for the share of households that rent, with 30.7% in the Australian Capital Territory and 47.6% in the Northern Territory. They also share similar rates of population growth since 2021, at 7.1% and 6.6% respectively. Over time, the gap in Year 12 completion has narrowed slightly, though it remains far higher in the Australian Capital Territory. Meanwhile, the difference in high weekly incomes has widened since 2011.

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Where they differ most

Year 12: 27.2 pts higher in Australian Capital Territory First Nations: 24.3 pts higher in Northern Territory Population: 221,894 larger in Australian Capital Territory Bachelor+: 21.5 pts higher in Australian Capital Territory Renting: 16.9 pts higher in Northern Territory

Demographics & Identity

Population in Northern Territoryin Australian Capital Territory +221,894 larger in Australian Capital Territory gap widening
232,605 454,499
Median age in Northern Territoryin Australian Capital Territory +2 yrs older in Australian Capital Territory gap narrowing
33 yrs 35 yrs
First Nations in Northern Territoryin Australian Capital Territory +24.3 pts higher in Northern Territory gap narrowing
26.3% 2.0%
Aged 65+ in Northern Territoryin Australian Capital Territory +4.7 pts higher in Australian Capital Territory gap steady
9.0% 13.7%
Under 15 in Northern Territoryin Australian Capital Territory +2.8 pts higher in Northern Territory gap narrowing
21.0% 18.2%
De facto in Northern Territoryin Australian Capital Territory +2.8 pts higher in Northern Territory gap narrowing
15.3% 12.5%

Age structure

33.8% Young adults (25–44) ◂ +1.5 pts 32.4%
23.3% Older adults (45–64) ◂ +0.9 pts 22.4%
21.0% Children (0–14) ◂ +2.8 pts 18.2%
9.0% Seniors (65+) +4.7 pts ▸ 13.7%
12.9% Youth (15–24) +0.4 pts ▸ 13.3%

Marital status

41.6% Married +5.2 pts ▸ 46.7%
44.3% Never married ◂ +5.0 pts 39.3%
7.4% Divorced +0.4 pts ▸ 7.7%
3.3% Widowed +0.4 pts ▸ 3.7%
3.5% Separated ◂ +0.9 pts 2.6%

Age & sex structure

Northern Territory Australian Capital Territory

Bars show the share of each area's own population, so differently sized areas stay comparable.

Ancestry & Birthplace

Born overseas in Northern Territoryin Australian Capital Territory +6.9 pts higher in Australian Capital Territory gap steady
21.8% 28.7%

Country of birth

69.5% Australia ◂ +1.9 pts 67.5%
2.2% India +1.6 pts ▸ 3.8%
2.2% England +0.7 pts ▸ 2.9%
2.7% Philippines ◂ +1.6 pts 1.1%
0.7% China +1.9 pts ▸ 2.7%
1.7% New Zealand ◂ +0.6 pts 1.1%
1.3% Nepal even 1.3%
0.6% Vietnam +0.3 pts ▸ 0.9%
0.4% South Africa +0.1 pts ▸ 0.5%
0.2% Italy +0.2 pts ▸ 0.4%

Ancestry

23.1% English +8.8 pts ▸ 32.0%
24.1% Australian +7.4 pts ▸ 31.5%
7.3% Irish +4.3 pts ▸ 11.6%
6.3% Scottish +3.7 pts ▸ 10.0%
3.0% Chinese +2.8 pts ▸ 5.7%
2.2% Indian +2.3 pts ▸ 4.5%
3.6% German +0.6 pts ▸ 4.2%
3.5% Filipino ◂ +1.9 pts 1.6%
1.9% Italian +1.5 pts ▸ 3.3%
1.8% Greek ◂ +0.6 pts 1.2%
1.1% Dutch +0.6 pts ▸ 1.7%
0.7% Vietnamese +0.6 pts ▸ 1.3%

Language

Other language in Northern Territoryin Australian Capital Territory +7.8 pts higher in Northern Territory gap steady
32.4% 24.6%
Limited English in Northern Territoryin Australian Capital Territory +1.4 pts higher in Northern Territory gap steady
3.9% 2.5%

Language used at home

57.3% English only +14.0 pts ▸ 71.3%
1.1% Mandarin +2.1 pts ▸ 3.2%
1.4% Greek ◂ +0.8 pts 0.6%
1.3% Tagalog ◂ +0.8 pts 0.5%
0.7% Vietnamese +0.4 pts ▸ 1.1%
0.7% Punjabi +0.4 pts ▸ 1.1%
0.4% Hindi +0.6 pts ▸ 1.0%
0.3% Cantonese +0.6 pts ▸ 0.9%
0.2% Arabic +0.7 pts ▸ 0.9%
0.3% Italian +0.3 pts ▸ 0.6%

Religion

No religion in Northern Territoryin Australian Capital Territory +5.7 pts higher in Australian Capital Territory gap steady
38.5% 44.2%

Religious affiliation

38.5% No religion +5.7 pts ▸ 44.2%
40.5% Christianity ◂ +2.4 pts 38.1%
12.4% Not stated ◂ +6.7 pts 5.7%
2.7% Hinduism +1.8 pts ▸ 4.5%
1.4% Islam +1.8 pts ▸ 3.2%
2.1% Buddhism +0.7 pts ▸ 2.8%
2.4% Other religions ◂ +1.1 pts 1.3%
0.1% Judaism +0.1 pts ▸ 0.2%

Education & Qualifications

Year 12 in Northern Territoryin Australian Capital Territory +27.2 pts higher in Australian Capital Territory gap narrowing
49.8% 77.0%
Bachelor+ in Northern Territoryin Australian Capital Territory +21.5 pts higher in Australian Capital Territory gap widening
21.5% 42.9%

Highest year of school

49.8% Year 12 +27.2 pts ▸ 77.0%
16.8% Year 10 ◂ +6.2 pts 10.5%
11.0% Year 9 or below ◂ +6.8 pts 4.2%
11.0% Year 11 ◂ +7.5 pts 3.5%

Highest qualification level

22.1% Bachelor degree +11.8 pts ▸ 33.9%
26.3% Certificate III / IV ◂ +11.3 pts 15.0%
9.1% Postgraduate degree +10.8 pts ▸ 19.9%
12.3% Advanced diploma / diploma +0.7 pts ▸ 13.0%
3.8% Graduate diploma / certificate +2.5 pts ▸ 6.3%
2.7% Certificate I / II ◂ +1.4 pts 1.3%

Field of qualification

11.7% Society & culture +8.4 pts ▸ 20.1%
16.4% Management & commerce +3.7 pts ▸ 20.0%
13.4% Engineering & related ◂ +5.0 pts 8.4%
10.6% Health ◂ +1.9 pts 8.7%
7.6% Education ◂ +0.6 pts 6.9%
2.3% Information technology +5.2 pts ▸ 7.5%
2.1% Natural & physical sciences +3.6 pts ▸ 5.6%
4.5% Food, hospitality & personal services ◂ +1.2 pts 3.3%
2.2% Creative arts +2.1 pts ▸ 4.2%
4.2% Architecture & building ◂ +0.3 pts 3.9%
2.6% Agriculture & environment ◂ +1.0 pts 1.6%

Income

Personal income in Northern Territoryin Australian Capital Territory +$267 higher in Australian Capital Territory gap widening
$936 $1,203
Household income in Northern Territoryin Australian Capital Territory +$312 higher in Australian Capital Territory gap widening
$2,061 $2,373
Family income in Northern Territoryin Australian Capital Territory +$659 higher in Australian Capital Territory gap widening
$2,213 $2,872
High earners in Northern Territoryin Australian Capital Territory +8.9 pts higher in Australian Capital Territory gap widening
13.2% 22.1%
High-income homes in Northern Territoryin Australian Capital Territory +10.8 pts higher in Australian Capital Territory gap widening
25.6% 36.4%

Household income distribution

31.7% $1,500–$2,999 +0.8 pts ▸ 32.6%
13.3% $4,000 or more +8.7 pts ▸ 21.9%
20.6% $650–$1,499 ◂ +3.1 pts 17.5%
12.4% $3,000–$3,999 +2.1 pts ▸ 14.5%
11.1% Under $650 ◂ +2.5 pts 8.6%

Personal income distribution

34.8% Under $650 ◂ +7.0 pts 27.9%
21.6% $1,500–$2,999 +8.1 pts ▸ 29.7%
27.8% $650–$1,499 +1.9 pts ▸ 29.7%
4.0% $3,000 or more +3.8 pts ▸ 7.8%

Health & Disability

Health condition in Northern Territoryin Australian Capital Territory +8.3 pts higher in Australian Capital Territory
19.8% 28.1%
Mental health in Northern Territoryin Australian Capital Territory +4.9 pts higher in Australian Capital Territory
5.1% 10.0%
Needs assistance in Northern Territoryin Australian Capital Territory +1.0 pts higher in Australian Capital Territory gap steady
3.6% 4.6%

Long-term health conditions reported

5.1% Mental health +4.9 pts ▸ 10.0%
6.1% Other condition +3.6 pts ▸ 9.7%
5.6% Asthma +3.4 pts ▸ 9.0%
4.5% Arthritis +3.3 pts ▸ 7.7%
4.3% Diabetes ◂ +0.5 pts 3.9%
3.1% Heart disease even 3.1%
1.6% Cancer +1.1 pts ▸ 2.7%
1.2% Lung condition +0.2 pts ▸ 1.3%
0.5% Stroke +0.2 pts ▸ 0.7%
0.4% Dementia +0.2 pts ▸ 0.6%

Number of long-term health conditions

68.0% None ◂ +2.1 pts 65.9%
14.6% One condition +5.2 pts ▸ 19.8%
3.6% Two conditions +2.2 pts ▸ 5.8%
1.6% Three or more +0.9 pts ▸ 2.4%

Community Participation

Volunteering in Northern Territoryin Australian Capital Territory +4.3 pts higher in Australian Capital Territory gap steady
14.1% 18.4%
Unpaid carers in Northern Territoryin Australian Capital Territory +2.5 pts higher in Australian Capital Territory gap steady
9.5% 12.0%
Unpaid child care in Northern Territoryin Australian Capital Territory +1.9 pts higher in Northern Territory gap steady
30.2% 28.3%
Defence service in Northern Territoryin Australian Capital Territory +0.8 pts higher in Australian Capital Territory
5.2% 6.0%
Housework 15h+ in Northern Territoryin Australian Capital Territory +2.2 pts higher in Australian Capital Territory gap narrowing
17.1% 19.3%

First Nations

First Nations people in Northern Territoryin Australian Capital Territory +52,166 larger in Northern Territory
61,115 8,949
Median age in Northern Territoryin Australian Capital Territory +2 yrs older in Northern Territory
26 yrs 24 yrs
Year 12 in Northern Territoryin Australian Capital Territory +35.5 pts higher in Australian Capital Territory
23.2% 58.7%
Unemployment in Northern Territoryin Australian Capital Territory +13.6 pts higher in Northern Territory
20.8% 7.2%
Median income in Northern Territoryin Australian Capital Territory +$675 higher in Australian Capital Territory
$323 $998
Household income in Northern Territoryin Australian Capital Territory +$971 higher in Australian Capital Territory
$1,318 $2,289
Indigenous language in Northern Territoryin Australian Capital Territory +52.6 pts higher in Northern Territory
60.1% 7.5%

Family & Households

Household size in Northern Territoryin Australian Capital Territory +0.3 larger in Northern Territory gap steady
2.8 2.5
One-parent in Northern Territoryin Australian Capital Territory +5.6 pts higher in Northern Territory gap widening
17.5% 11.9%
Living alone in Northern Territoryin Australian Capital Territory +1.9 pts higher in Australian Capital Territory gap steady
23.8% 25.7%

Family composition

58.3% Couples with children +1.6 pts ▸ 59.8%
22.6% Couples without children +4.6 pts ▸ 27.2%
17.5% One-parent families ◂ +5.6 pts 11.9%
1.6% Other families ◂ +0.5 pts 1.1%

Household size

30.0% 2 people +2.7 pts ▸ 32.7%
23.8% 1 person +1.9 pts ▸ 25.7%
16.7% 3 people ◂ +0.2 pts 16.5%
14.9% 4 people +1.5 pts ▸ 16.5%
7.3% 6 or more ◂ +4.8 pts 2.5%
7.2% 5 people ◂ +1.1 pts 6.0%

Housing & Dwellings

Rent in Northern Territoryin Australian Capital Territory +$125 higher in Australian Capital Territory gap widening
$325 $450
Mortgage in Northern Territoryin Australian Capital Territory +$80 higher in Australian Capital Territory gap narrowing
$2,000 $2,080
People / bedroom in Northern Territoryin Australian Capital Territory +0.20 higher in Northern Territory gap widening
1.00 0.80
Renting in Northern Territoryin Australian Capital Territory +16.9 pts higher in Northern Territory gap narrowing
47.6% 30.7%
Owned outright in Northern Territoryin Australian Capital Territory +10.8 pts higher in Australian Capital Territory gap narrowing
15.8% 26.6%
Separate houses in Northern Territoryin Australian Capital Territory +3.6 pts higher in Northern Territory gap narrowing
66.8% 63.2%
3+ bedrooms in Northern Territoryin Australian Capital Territory +6.0 pts higher in Australian Capital Territory gap narrowing
66.9% 73.0%

How homes are owned or rented

47.6% Rented ◂ +16.9 pts 30.7%
30.2% Owned with a mortgage +10.0 pts ▸ 40.2%
15.8% Owned outright +10.8 pts ▸ 26.6%
4.2% Other tenure ◂ +2.6 pts 1.6%
2.2% Not stated ◂ +1.3 pts 0.9%

Types of homes

66.8% Separate house ◂ +3.6 pts 63.2%
17.9% Flat or apartment +1.5 pts ▸ 19.4%
12.7% Townhouse / semi-detached +4.5 pts ▸ 17.2%
1.7% Other dwelling ◂ +1.6 pts 0.1%

Bedrooms per home

42.1% 3 bedrooms ◂ +4.9 pts 37.1%
19.9% 4 bedrooms +8.9 pts ▸ 28.8%
22.4% 2 bedrooms ◂ +4.9 pts 17.5%
7.3% 1 bedroom +1.1 pts ▸ 8.4%
5.0% 5 or more +2.1 pts ▸ 7.1%
1.2% Studio / none ◂ +0.9 pts 0.2%

Weekly rent distribution

31.3% $350–$549 +14.5 pts ▸ 45.8%
26.4% Under $200 ◂ +13.9 pts 12.5%
22.8% $200–$349 ◂ +10.3 pts 12.4%
10.4% $550–$749 +10.8 pts ▸ 21.2%
2.5% $750 or more +2.4 pts ▸ 5.0%

Monthly mortgage distribution

38.3% $1,800–$2,999 +0.1 pts ▸ 38.5%
28.0% $1,000–$1,799 ◂ +2.4 pts 25.6%
17.1% $3,000 or more +3.8 pts ▸ 20.9%
11.3% Under $1,000 ◂ +0.3 pts 11.0%

Transport & Vehicles

No car in Northern Territoryin Australian Capital Territory +5.5 pts higher in Northern Territory gap steady
11.1% 5.6%
Work from home in Northern Territoryin Australian Capital Territory +6.7 pts higher in Australian Capital Territory gap widening
4.2% 10.9%
PT commute in Northern Territoryin Australian Capital Territory +2.4 pts higher in Australian Capital Territory gap steady
2.2% 4.6%
PT stops in Northern Territoryin Australian Capital Territory +1,834 more in Australian Capital Territory
768 2,602
Stops/1k in Northern Territoryin Australian Capital Territory +2.42 more in Australian Capital Territory
3.30 5.72
Departures/1k in Northern Territoryin Australian Capital Territory +958.5 more in Australian Capital Territory
505.8 1,464.3
PT routes in Northern Territoryin Australian Capital Territory +17 more in Australian Capital Territory
83 100

How people get to work

63.4% Car (driver) ◂ +4.4 pts 59.0%
4.2% Worked at home +6.7 pts ▸ 10.9%
7.6% Walked ◂ +3.6 pts 4.0%
6.6% Car (passenger) ◂ +1.6 pts 5.0%
2.1% Bus +1.5 pts ▸ 3.6%
2.0% Bicycle +0.1 pts ▸ 2.1%
0.0% Train even 0.0%

Motor vehicles per home

34.8% 1 vehicle +4.4 pts ▸ 39.2%
35.3% 2 vehicles +3.4 pts ▸ 38.7%
12.2% 3 vehicles ◂ +1.3 pts 11.0%
11.1% No vehicle ◂ +5.5 pts 5.6%
6.6% 4 or more ◂ +1.1 pts 5.6%

Migration & Movement

Recent movers in Northern Territoryin Australian Capital Territory +4.1 pts higher in Australian Capital Territory gap widening
42.0% 46.1%
Recent arrivals in Northern Territoryin Australian Capital Territory +4.2 pts higher in Northern Territory gap narrowing
21.0% 16.7%

Jobs & Industry

Unemployment in Northern Territoryin Australian Capital Territory +1.8 pts higher in Northern Territory gap steady
5.6% 3.9%
Participation in Northern Territoryin Australian Capital Territory +7.9 pts higher in Australian Capital Territory gap widening
61.7% 69.6%
Full-time in Northern Territoryin Australian Capital Territory +2.9 pts higher in Northern Territory gap steady
68.7% 65.8%

Industries people work in

18.2% Public administration & safety +11.6 pts ▸ 29.8%
14.9% Health care & social assistance ◂ +3.4 pts 11.5%
4.9% Professional & technical +6.1 pts ▸ 10.9%
9.4% Education & training even 9.4%
8.0% Construction ◂ +1.4 pts 6.7%
7.4% Accommodation & food ◂ +1.0 pts 6.3%
7.2% Retail trade ◂ +0.8 pts 6.5%
4.0% Transport & warehousing ◂ +1.9 pts 2.1%
3.9% Other services ◂ +1.0 pts 2.9%
2.9% Administrative & support ◂ +0.3 pts 2.6%
2.4% Mining ◂ +2.4 pts 0.1%
2.3% Arts & recreation ◂ +0.5 pts 1.8%

Occupations people work in

22.0% Professionals +9.4 pts ▸ 31.4%
12.9% Managers +4.9 pts ▸ 17.9%
15.7% Community & personal service ◂ +4.8 pts 10.9%
13.2% Clerical & administrative +1.4 pts ▸ 14.5%
13.8% Technicians & trades ◂ +4.2 pts 9.6%
8.5% Labourers ◂ +3.5 pts 5.0%
6.5% Sales workers ◂ +0.4 pts 6.1%
5.2% Machinery operators & drivers ◂ +2.8 pts 2.4%

Economy & Advantage

ERP in Northern Territoryin Australian Capital Territory +220,074 higher in Australian Capital Territory
264,556 484,630
Growth in Northern Territoryin Australian Capital Territory +0.5 pts higher in Australian Capital Territory
6.6% 7.1%

Environment & Climate

Rainfall in Northern Territoryin Australian Capital Territory +546 higher in Australian Capital Territory
362 908
Max temp in Northern Territoryin Australian Capital Territory +15.2 higher in Northern Territory
34.9 19.7
Min temp in Northern Territoryin Australian Capital Territory +14.1 higher in Northern Territory
20.0 6.0

Walkability

Walk score in Northern Territoryin Australian Capital Territory +1.8 higher in Australian Capital Territory
5.1 6.9
Types ≤15 min in Northern Territoryin Australian Capital Territory +1.5 more in Australian Capital Territory
5.0 6.5
15-min city in Northern Territoryin Australian Capital Territory +20.1 pts higher in Australian Capital Territory
61.8% 81.9%
Walk to shops in Northern Territoryin Australian Capital Territory +16.1 pts higher in Australian Capital Territory
64.0% 80.0%
Walk to transit in Northern Territoryin Australian Capital Territory +28.7 pts higher in Australian Capital Territory
68.9% 97.6%
Walk to school in Northern Territoryin Australian Capital Territory +14.9 pts higher in Australian Capital Territory
70.5% 85.4%
Walk to a park in Northern Territoryin Australian Capital Territory +17.8 pts higher in Australian Capital Territory
81.6% 99.4%
Walk to health in Northern Territoryin Australian Capital Territory +14.8 pts higher in Australian Capital Territory
49.5% 64.3%
Amenities/1k in Northern Territoryin Australian Capital Territory +0.2 more in Australian Capital Territory
19.0 19.2
Intersections/km² in Northern Territoryin Australian Capital Territory +44 higher in Australian Capital Territory
0 44
Mean slope in Northern Territoryin Australian Capital Territory +1.9 pts higher in Australian Capital Territory
3.7% 5.5%

Compare Northern Territory with nearby areas

South Australia Queensland Western Australia New South Wales Victoria Australian Capital Territory Tasmania Other Territories

Compare Australian Capital Territory with nearby areas

New South Wales Victoria Tasmania Queensland South Australia Northern Territory Western Australia Other Territories

Cite this page

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). Northern Territory vs Australian Capital Territory [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/compare/ste/7/northern-territory/vs/8/australian-capital-territory